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Cape Town - Former Proteas batsman Boeta Dippenaar says he would pick Paul Harris ahead of Imran Tahir as a spinner in Test matches in South Africa.
Dippenaar, who plays for the Knights, faced Tahir over the weekend in a SuperSport series match against the Dolphins at Kingsmead in Durban.
And according to the Volksblad newspaper, Dippenaar wrote on his blog that Tahir's possible inclusion in the Proteas side for the upcoming Test series against Australia, worries him.
The Free Stater fears Tahir might struggle in Test matches locally.
"After I faced him this week, I'm not so sure anymore that he's our best choice in South African conditions," said Dippenaar.
Tahir took 3/88 for the Dolphins in the Knights' first innings, but struggled in the second innings on the final day, taking only 1/90. The Knights won by four wickets.
South African pitches have always been conducive to fast bowling and Dippenaar believes Harris is more effective as a slow bowler on such pitches.
"Harris has always been successful at holding up one end, which allows Graeme Smith to rotate his quick bowlers from the other end. And I'm not sure if Tahir could perform that job for South Africa."
Dippenaar believes Tahir should only be picked ahead of Harris if the pitches are prepared in a different manner to what they are traditionally prepared like.
The Proteas' first Test against Australia starts on November 9 at Newlands, followed by a second Test on November 17 at the Wanderers.
Dippenaar, who plays for the Knights, faced Tahir over the weekend in a SuperSport series match against the Dolphins at Kingsmead in Durban.
And according to the Volksblad newspaper, Dippenaar wrote on his blog that Tahir's possible inclusion in the Proteas side for the upcoming Test series against Australia, worries him.
The Free Stater fears Tahir might struggle in Test matches locally.
"After I faced him this week, I'm not so sure anymore that he's our best choice in South African conditions," said Dippenaar.
Tahir took 3/88 for the Dolphins in the Knights' first innings, but struggled in the second innings on the final day, taking only 1/90. The Knights won by four wickets.
South African pitches have always been conducive to fast bowling and Dippenaar believes Harris is more effective as a slow bowler on such pitches.
"Harris has always been successful at holding up one end, which allows Graeme Smith to rotate his quick bowlers from the other end. And I'm not sure if Tahir could perform that job for South Africa."
Dippenaar believes Tahir should only be picked ahead of Harris if the pitches are prepared in a different manner to what they are traditionally prepared like.
The Proteas' first Test against Australia starts on November 9 at Newlands, followed by a second Test on November 17 at the Wanderers.
